Plastic deformation of curved rail at rail weld caused by train-track dynamic interaction

▶ The amplitude of the irregularity at the rail weld has a great effect on the plastic deformation. ▶ It is necessary to consider the effect of the heat affected zones on the plastic deformation of welded rail. ▶ The plastic deformation not only changes the welded rail profiles, but also leads to the increased wheel-rail impact load.